The Team
Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harrassment Statement
Mission Statement
Team Memphis Rescue & Support is a 501C3 non-profit all-breed rescue group that helps abandoned, neglected and lost pets. We are intensely devoted to helping pets find their forever home. Our existence depends on support from volunteers, fosters and donations. It's what makes saving animals possible.
Team Memphis Rescue & Support provides assistance to dogs in Memphis and surrounding areas who are displaced. We provide basic needs, vetting, evaluation of temperaments, and network to find foster and forever homes. Dog rescue is an ongoing battle. We are stronger when we stand together.
Team Memphis Rescue & Support provides medical care, including vaccinations, microchip and spay/neuter for all our adoptable pets. With years of experience, our goal is to find the perfect fit for each dog as well as the best pet for your family.
Noadiah Sikinger- Vice President
With a 29-year career in the Navy, Noadiah Sikinger, known as Noa, has dedicated her life to service, both in her profession and her passion for animals. Growing up on a farm, she developed a deep love for animals, but due to her military commitments, she often had to forgo having pets of her own. However, this did not deter her spirit; Noa has been actively involved in animal rescues and shelters, volunteering across many organizations all over the world since she joined the service.
Now stationed in Colorado with her husband Jim, she devotes her energy to dogs in need. She is the proud parent of two rescue dogs, Koda and Mr. Winston, whom she personally found on the side of the road. Koda thrives in agility, while Mr. Winston thrives in cuddles. This personal connection to her furry companions inspired her to immerse herself in the Memphis Dog Crisis, where she works tirelessly to make a difference. As the Vice President of TMRS, Noa plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and innovation within the rescue community.
Noa thrives in the realm of technology, using her skills to showcase adoptable dogs and build relationships with local rescues and shelters. In addition to her dedication to animal rescue, she loves being in nature, finding solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. Her unwavering belief in supporting anyone who wishes to save animals drives her mission forward.
Lindsey Lacey - Secretary
Lindsey's love for rescue started when she adopted her first rescue dog in 2022, Neva, from Team Memphis. Though she lived out of state, Neva's smile on PetFinder caught her eye, and so she messaged us to see if we did out of state adoptions. A few weeks later, Neva was in her new home in Connecticut.
Despite only getting two short years with Neva, she became Lindsey's heart dog and Lindsey fell in love with rescues and helping rescue dogs. She has personally witnessed how rescue dogs can save and enhance people's lives, and believes in helping both dogs and their owners to foster successful rescue stories. She is passionate about helping the underdogs as well--dogs with behavioral and medical needs. Particularly, she has a passion for dogs with Addison's disease, which Neva had and one of Lindsey's current dogs has.
Lindsey lives in Pennsylvania, but it is her lifelong goal to populate the state with Memphis dogs. She lives with a pack of five dogs (one who is a second Team Memphis rescue dog) and her wife. She works as a data scientist and builds machine learning models for the county government where she lives, which are used to provide services to at-risk individuals. Through her work with dogs and humans, Lindsey strives to make the world a more pawsitive place.
Lena Zodda- President/Treasurer
Lena Zodda has always nurtured a profound love for animals, a passion that has significantly shaped her life. She is currently the proud guardian of two rescue dogs: 14-year-old Frankie, who brings wisdom and warmth, and three-year-old Granger, full of youthful energy and joy. With over 13 years of involvement in animal rescue, Lena is dedicated to helping dogs find their perfect families, ensuring they receive the love and care they deserve.
As the organized rockstar of her group, Lena consistently provides honest information and thoroughly screens applications to guarantee that dogs at TMRS find their ideal homes. As a single mom to her son, Thomas, she is constantly on the move, supporting him in various sports and enjoying every moment of his growth and achievements. Balancing her responsibilities as a mother, she also navigates her career in corporate America, where she applies her skills and expertise.
Inspired by her mother’s teachings on the importance of volunteering, Lena believes in sharing her talents to help others. This commitment extends beyond animal rescue; she is actively involved in a charity that supports the less fortunate in southern Fayette County. Through her diverse efforts, Lena Zodda embodies a spirit of compassion and community service, making a meaningful impact in both the lives of animals and those in need.
Team Memphis Rescue & Support is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all volunteers and community members. We believe that diversity enriches our organization and enhances our ability to serve our mission.
We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. This applies to all aspects of our organization.
Additionally, we are dedicated to ensuring that our organization is free from harassment of any kind, including verbal, physical, or visual harassment related to the characteristics above.
By upholding these principles, Team Memphis Rescue & Support aims to create a culture of respect and kindness for all involved in our mission of rescuing and caring for dogs in need.
Laura Yancey- Board Member at Large
Laura’s passion for animal rescue began unexpectedly one Friday night in 2001, on a busy street in Memphis, TN. On her way to meet friends, traffic suddenly came to a halt as cars swerved around something up ahead. As she approached, she saw a terrified dog darting through traffic. Without hesitation, she pulled over, got out, and gently coaxed the frightened dog to safety. Tail tucked and trembling, the dog allowed her to lift him into her car. She turned around and brought him home.
That dog—later adopted in New England and named Bhakti—would become the first of many lives she would help save. That night marked the beginning of what would grow into a defining part of who Laura is. The experience opened her eyes to the plight of companion animals in the South and sparked a deep commitment to support the dedicated rescuers already doing all they could.
Over the next two decades, Laura fostered more dogs than she could count for various rescues and shelters. She served on fundraising committees, volunteered at countless adoption events and local shelters, and learned from seasoned mentors in the rescue community. Each experience deepened her knowledge and strengthened her resolve.
In 2017, Laura took on a new challenge: fostering a pregnant German Shepherd. With the support of a German Shepherd rescue and the guidance of Lorie Beville—who would later co-found Team Memphis Rescue & Support—she successfully helped place the mother and her eight puppies, including an orphaned pup that joined the litter shortly after birth.
In 2023, she reconnected with Lorie and began volunteering with Team Memphis Rescue & Support. Her involvement spans transporting dogs, processing foster and adoption applications, and organizing fundraising events. The organization is entirely volunteer-run, driven by a shared calling to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs in need while educating the community to inspire lasting change.
Today, Laura is part of a growing, passionate community of animal advocates—people who support each other with one unwavering goal: to save more dogs. She is immensely proud to work alongside some of the most dedicated and compassionate individuals she has ever met. Many have become not only trusted partners in rescue but also lifelong friends.
Together, they are making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals—and each other.
Dena Sekel- Member at Large
Dena Sekel is a passionate animal advocate and dedicated volunteer based in Bartlett, Illinois. After relocating from the outskirts of Chicago two years ago, she discovered her calling at the Bartlett Animal Shelter. What began as a fear of pit bulls transformed into a deep admiration for the breed, thanks to Chi Chi — a stray who had spent nearly a year at the shelter. One simple walk with Chi Chi blossomed into a lifelong bond and sparked Dena’s commitment to animal welfare.
Dena’s journey grew further when she connected with Team Memphis Rescue & Support at Hollywood Feed, inspiring her family to begin fostering dogs in need. Her daughter shares her same compassion, actively stepping in to help with Memphis street dogs and proving that advocacy truly runs in the family.
Together, they embody kindness, resilience, and action — working tirelessly to find solutions, safe spaces, and loving homes for animals. With an endless supply of love in her heart, Dena continues to make a lasting impact on countless lives while inspiring others to join the mission of rescue and support.
Samantha Cochran- Member at Large
Samantha Cochran is a dedicated animal advocate originally from Guntown, MS. Her passion for rescue work began at a young age, inspired by her aunt, who served as president of a local animal rescue organization. Watching the positive impact her aunt made within the community instilled in Samantha a lifelong commitment to protecting and advocating for vulnerable animals.
Today, Samantha is actively involved in fostering dogs—particularly those who are fearful or have experienced trauma. She works patiently to help them rebuild trust and confidence so they can successfully transition into loving, permanent homes. Her two daughters share her heart for service and regularly volunteer alongside her, making rescue a meaningful family mission.
Samantha currently cares for six dogs, five of whom are rescues: Bella, a 13-year-old Boxer; Ally, rescued at four weeks old; Magnolia, rescued at six weeks; Lena, found as a critically ill stray and nursed back to health; Trina, saved from a euthanasia list; and Dottie, also rescued from a municipal shelter. Each dog represents her unwavering commitment to giving animals a second chance.
Through every interaction, Samantha strives to spread love, kindness, and positivity. She views her rescue work as a reflection of her faith and is honored to serve her community by sharing compassion and hope through animal advocacy.
